In Value, you will explore the most powerful generator of value in the world – ideas. Ideas are the engines of productivity, both in the private and public sectors. You will learn about the universal frameworks that determine how ideas and money interact, leading to the allocation of financial resources. We will identify components of cash flow for any project, business or venture as the most essential ingredients of value. We also assess the investment techniques used to give life to some ideas while killing others. This course will help you understand pricing, diversification, uncertainty and even behavioural approaches to dealing with risk. Using Nobel Prize-winning insights, you will learn how to measure the size of the risk premium and build valuation models. We’ll even connect evidence-based science with common-sense analysis to give you better tools for understanding why values are what they are, and for positioning yourself more effectively to participate in financial markets. You will be immersed in case based learning to integrate some of the powerful frameworks introduced in Value.

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Flexible deadlines

Approx. 6 hours to complete

Suggested: 4 weeks of study, 1-2 hours/week...

Available languages

English

Subtitles: English

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week

1

Hours to complete

2 hours to complete

Investment Techniques

Welcome! This first week will engage you in investigating how value is created, distributed and destroyed, and will enable you to utilize different techniques for assessing the value of existing or potential investments. You will make connections between Value and concepts in the prior two courses of this Specialization, share (potentially valuable!) good ideas with your fellow learners, and communicate your new insights with the world....

Capital Investment Decisions

This week, we investigate cash flows! By week’s end, you will be able to explain its wide-ranging importance, employ critical assumptions to make decisions about potential investments, and utilize components used to analyze an existing or proposed idea. Furthermore, you will apply these skills to the first case of this Specialization and engage with your peers in discussion to collaboratively work through this scenario!...

Market Efficiency & Risk

In week 3, you will begin to explore the big picture themes of market perfection and market correction. Within the context of these broad themes, you will contrast financial theory with financial practice, explain price convergence and divergence, and discern between the roles of risk and uncertainty in valuation. You will also take up the solution to the mini-case presented in week 2!...

Market Inefficiency

In this final week of F4E: Value, you will continue exploring market perfection and correction. You will interpret financial data, determine your opinion on the possibility of an upcoming market correction, and identify strategies you can use to protect yourself from turbulence. You will also reexamine your big idea from week 1, share your biggest takeaways from the course, and look ahead to F4E: Debt....

Instructor

About McMaster University

Founded in 1887, McMaster University is committed to creativity, innovation, and excellence by inspiring critical thinking, personal growth, and a passion for learning. Ranked amongst the Top 100 universities in the world, McMaster pioneered a learner-centred, problem-based, interdisciplinary approach to learning that is now known worldwide as the “McMaster Model”. ...

About the Finance for Everyone Specialization

Watch this intro video to learn more about the Specialization curriculum and Capstone Project!
The Finance for Everyone Specialization will help you learn the language of finance and understand how the flow of money relates to the most important key social issues influencing our lives and communities. You’ll examine the connections between global and local finance; the flow of assets through businesses, governments, and other institutions; and the commodity, bond, and equity market dynamics that create and destroy financial value. When you complete the Specialization, you’ll be able to better understand both global financial news and your own personal financial decisions....

Frequently Asked Questions

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When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?

Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.

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What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.